In today's plot driven marketplace this is an unusual book. Beautifully written and complex, and told from a multitude of interconnected viewpoints, it steadily progresses through 100+ years of family life and world events. Each viewpoint and historical moment is well crafted with great visual detail and characterisation, and I found myself reading slowly, so as to absorb each change in perspective.

It all centres around the life of Jack Jagger. Born at the turn of the twentieth century and forced to grow up too soon when when his father dies unexpectedly, Jack is our central figure, keeping the narrative journey steady throughout as we learn about his extended family and the other key figures who form a part of the tapestry of his life.

I found myself checking out the author to discover more about why she wrote this book and found this quote: “I have always been interested in the concept of family and what it means to different people: the joys and complexities; the feuds and rivalries; the sense of belonging, the loyalty (whether unconditional or not) and the feeling of displacement when families fall apart. I wanted to explore this through the trajectory of one man’s journey. And I wanted the journey to be epic—across the course of a century.”

All I can say is, she succeeded! As a description of what this book delivers, I don't feel I can better the above.

Mellor also mentions reading Elizabeth Strout whilst writing this book, and that's a comparison which does spring to mind while reading. There is something of the flavour of that author in the telling of interlinked lives, the descriptive characterisation, and the careful establishment of setting. In a way, West Yorkshire, where the story begins, has something of the elements of an American small town where everyone knows each other; and the exploration of what it means to leave those roots, as so many of us do, is poignantly told.

Ultimately, this is an enjoyable and satisfying read, which leaves me keen to discover what this author will write next. Thomas PerkinsAuthor 1 book3

After reading From West Yorkshire to East Berlin, I’ve found it difficult to articulate my exact feelings on it.

It is, at its core, a very solid piece of writing - Ailsa Mellor has a very obvious gift for prose, one that’s evident on any page of the quirky, generation spanning story she’s constructed. Her writing is expertly put together, easy to read, and feels the voice of an already established mid-twentieth century novelist. No line sticks out as clunky or out of place.

Starting from such praiseworthy building blocks, it's from there that the tower starts to lean a bit. The story spans the century of Jack Jagger’s long life, with all its confusing twists and turns. It introduces his parents, his friends, his children, his children’s children, and so on. There are a lot of characters, a lot of names, and not a lot of time to spend with each of them - it often left me wondering who was whose wife, who was whose daughter or son, which may very well be how Jack felt about his large family! Again, the author is able to articulate the comings and goings of such a family quite well, in fact I actually went to check if this was some kind of fictionalized family history of some kind, as it can read that sometimes.

But, much most people, Jack Jaggers’s life is not one of a clear narrative, with a beginning, middle and end. It’s a life. The book's description mentions the secret hair formula plot, but it does not get brought up until about halfway through the book, and even then it is a minor plot point. There really isn’t much of a plot at all, the book meanders through births, deaths, marriages at a breakneck pace, the only driving force being time itself.

And that is, at its core, why I have struggled to pin down my exact feelings on the book. I feel a three star review would be too harsh, as for those who are searching for this type of family-driven literary fiction would probably say this doesn’t just meet expectations, but exceeds it. For me personally, the lack of plot would leave it at a three, but the skill of Ailsa Mellor’s prose would elevate it to three and a half. Thus, averaging the two, I’d settle for a four star review here. 2024 Book Guy3

A good narrative of a multigenerational family history from many perspectives. Rich in detail, good at incorporating events from actual history and real locations.
The underlying "mystery" unfortunately only amounts to less than ~ 30% of the book. The rest has no strong central premise or goal, feeling more a collection of stories than a cohesive unit.
Overall, there is an emphasis on broken relationships, which, paired with the generally isolated feeling each character's thoughts leave you, gives a rather melancholy feel to the book.

Pros
- Enjoyable details about history or locations.
- Interesting to see the complexities of family ties and connections play out over time.
- Good attention to detail and variety.
- Exciting to see how events in characters' lives play out.

Cons
- Depressing, sense of time moves quick (rapid aging of characters) and people die left and right. A consequence of the genre of course, but no less disconcerting.
- Maybe intentional, but relationships and conversations don't display strong human connection, but mostly showcase internal thoughts and struggles. Feels there's barely any dialogue suggesting the characters that the book sets as being in love, actually love each other, or have a special bond; as if happenstance were the primary bond in a relationship. Everyone in the book feels strangely detached and isolated. And the general narrative doesn't flow that is intended.
- Some cliche scenarios.
- The book's "mystery" only guides a minority of the story as a central premise. The rest is headless, or at most an ever-morphing Hydra.
- Certain actions by the last generation characters feel somewhat overcooked and implausible, at least in comparison to how these characters are otherwise portrayed. Tim Levey29

With so much of life these days being taken at a frantic pace, it’s good every now and again to come across something this gentle story. It meanders its way through many generations and locations over a period of close to 100 years, without ever dwelling too much on any era in its travels. Even WWII doesn’t hold up the progress a great deal. The journey that the characters take is largely ‘normal life’. There are births, divorces, families falling out, plenty of house moves, deaths and a bit of skullduggery to shake things up near the climax. Even ordinary people have a bit of drama going on.
There are a multitude of characters, many of whom have a chapter or two that centres around their story. Everything revolves around and has connections back to Jack Jagger as the lead character. To some extent you need your wits about you as you progress through as some of the periphery characters pop up with little fanfare. I needed to wrack my brain as to where they had popped up before.. Some characters have interesting ways of expressing themselves, which helps with differentiation, but there are many are in danger of sounding each other. The ending is both natural and you end up hoping that the final reunion goes somewhere.
If you’re looking for a book with non-stop action and adventure, then this isn’t for you. If you’re looking for something altogether less taxing after a frantic day, then this book takes you back to the days before emails and life constantly on the edge. Roger ChanelsAuthor 4 books1 follower

I picked this book up expecting an intriguing inter-family battle over a nearly-magical hair-gel product. Instead, From West Yorkshire to East Berlin is much more about people than plot. Specifically, it takes us through several (six?) generations of the fictional Jagger family, with Jack Jagger as the primary protagonist. The hair product (which does turn out to be nearly magical) plays only a minor, yet important, role in the plot. The story comes out a bit a fictional biography, replete with marriage, divorce, birth, death, mental and physical maladies, and a few squabbles. At first, I felt anxious for the author to get on with it. But when I finally settled in to read the book for what it is, rather than what I had expected, I enjoyed it tremendously. I became so entangled with Jagger family dynamics that I didn’t want to put the book down. The writing is simple, flawless, always flowing and sometimes beautiful, and peppered with descriptions, popular references and political discussions befitting the times. The characters are all relatable and generally well-meaning, and the inner and external dialogs invite the reader into their thoughts. Reading this book feels a little listening to the stories of your favorite uncle. Rather than another titillating account of a (super)hero using extraordinary abilities to overcome an insurmountable challenge, the story of From West Yorkshire to East Berlin is perhaps more genuinely inspiring: an ordinary person overcoming a series of small challenges to piece together a fulfilling lifetime. buecherwurm38 1 follower

"From West Yorkshire to East Berlin," the thriller takes readers on a journey through the trials and triumphs of the Jagger family. At the heart of the story is Jack Jagger, whose life takes unexpected twists and turns, from losing his father at a young age to the resurfacing of long-buried secrets

The story deftly weaves the threads of Jack's life together, painting a vivid portrait of a man grappling with questions of identity, family and what it means to be successful as Jack explores his relationship complications and he confronts the ghosts of his past as readers are drawn into a rich tapestry of emotions and experiences

What’s really interesting about this book is how it explores universal themes grief, forgiveness, and lasting family bonds. Through Jack’s journey, we are reminded of the resilience of the human spirit and the power of second chances.

"From West Yorkshire to East Berlin" is not just the story of one man's life; It is a reflection of the human condition itself. It reminds us that no matter where life takes us, it’s never too late to seek redemption, apologize, and start over.

In summary, "From West Yorkshire to East Berlin" is a poignant and thought-provoking read that will linger in readers' minds long after the last page has been turned. With its many drawn out characters, compelling stories and timeless themes, this book is a real gem that deserves a place on every reader’s library.


Joan LewisAuthor 1 book2

This novel follows Jack, a young Yorkshire boy who was born just after the end of the first world war. As his life plays out, we see the changes that Britain undergoes, whilst also getting to know his family as it expands. Jack is a good honest soul who cares deeply about his children and grandchildren, and we experience, through all of them, the vicissitudes of life. Whatever size of family the reader may come from, they are bound to feel familiar with some of the issues that this book raises, such as filial and family loyalty, divorce, step parents, relocation, career choices, feminist issues and more.
The book is well written, and there are some beautiful descriptive passages. At times one may feel a little weighed down by the number of different characters and their individual concens, but this novel picks up pace as it returns to its original theme of a secret formula, stolen from Jack's father who was a popular barber.
I particularly appreciated the overall feeling of honesty and goodness that emanated from Jack. So many novels nowadays seem to centre around supernatural, criminal, dystopian or hypersexual worlds. This novel makes a refreshing change and reflects an honest working class Britain that is sadly under threat.
Karla Shaffer7

I love getting sucked into epic family sagas, so I was eager to get started on this novel, exploring one family’s history over an entire century. I have to say, the vividly portrayed settings and multifaceted characters really drew me in. The writing is solid. As a central character, Jack Jagger’s was compelling to me, given its twists and turns. I would say the book is well-entrenched in timeless literary elements: love, loss, secrets, and rebirth. I also enjoyed getting multiple characters’ perspectives, which shed light on and enriched this complicated family.

I tend to enjoy dramatic, inter-generational stories The Thorn Birds and poignant literary fiction similar to Elizabeth Strout’s novels, so I think any reader who enjoys such genre works would appreciate this book. I felt I could almost taste, touch, and smell the vignettes, while the detail-oriented and genuine characters kept my attention in full. I felt deeply committed to their ever-evolving struggles and triumphs. The book is somber and emotional, and each plot compelled me strongly enough to keep me engrossed until the very end. I highly recommend it as a splendidly researched and tailored work of historical fiction! Athenais43

"From West Yorkshire to East Berlin" is a beautifully written family drama that captures the life and challenges of the Jagger family across generations. The story begins with Jack, a young boy who loves spending time in his father's barbershop. Jack enjoys interacting with customers and helping his father create a special hair tonic. However, Jack's life takes an unexpected turn when his father suddenly dies, and the recipe for the hair tonic goes missing. The story follows Jack and his descendants through a series of challenges spanning several generations. While the mystery surrounding the hair tonic is eventually forgotten, it resurfaces later on. The author has skillfully created each character to be authentic, portraying lives that are far from perfect and marked by mistakes that make them truly human and relatable to the reader. The story's backdrop includes journeys to different countries, adding an extra layer to the narrative. Readers who enjoy family sagas, family life fiction, and stories that delve into the complexities of human relationships will find this read particularly appealing. Rachel HealeyAuthor 1 book4

I chose this book intrigued by the reference to the family secret at the heart of the story, but it was much more than that. This is a tale that expertly weaves the stories of multiple generations and the separate highs and lows of life across a century. Well-crafted characters had me wondering whether this was based on a true story, and I would love to know if it was. Jack, at the heart of the story, is an affable character that the reader follows from childhood to death. Without giving too much away, the heartache he faces when his first wife dies, had me in tears. As the story progressed, I wondered if the family secret pertaining to Jack’s father’s hair lotion legacy had been forgotten, but as this particular plot thread took a back seat, I found myself more intrigued by the relationship between Jack and his estranged son, Hanson. The interaction between characters and their sometimes devoted, sometimes strained relationships was an extremely realistic, often human depiction of real life. An excellent read and one that I would recommend. historical-fiction Finlay23 2

This novel, “From West Yorkshire to East Berlin”, presents itself with a general tone and themes reminiscent of literary fiction with postmodern features. However, un the typical language associated with this genre, the prose here often leans towards ornateness. For that, I found a great liking for the writing style, which, in my opinion, excels in this book.
The plot follows the Jagger family across several generations, acquainting the reader with various characters, perspectives, and challenges within intrafamilial relationships. To be sure, it successfully shows the complexities of identity. However, the swift changes and sometimes bitter developments of characters throughout time makes it somewhat difficult for readers to get warm with individual characters.
The family's itinerary is highly immersive. It offers a nostalgic glimpse into twentieth-century Europe with all its beauty and turmoil. Overall, this novel is very fascinating and bears a lot of charm and literary prowess. I highly recommend!
Cathy Lynn BrooksAuthor 8 books30

Multigenerational Saga

This multigenerational saga begins with Jack, as a young boy. His father owns a barbershop and Jack enjoys the banter of the customers and specially working with his father on a hair tonic. Jack’s life takes a turn when his father dies unexpectedly and the recipe of the hair tonic goes missing.

We follow Jack and his descendants through many trials and tribulations and several generations later the mystery of the hair tonic is forgotten, until it isn’t. The author made each of the characters very realistic. Their lives are far from perfect and they all make mistakes which makes them seem real human beings. The setting included travel to different countries which added another dimension to the story.

I read this book in one day. I couldn’t put it down. I wanted to know what happens next in these seemingly normal families. I enjoyed the references to the different decades. Highly recommended read. Katherine J.4 3

West Yorkshire To East Berlin is a generational telling of the Jagger family. It’s the early twentieth century when young Jack’s father, a barber with a special hair product, suddenly passes away. The product causes some complications in the story but it’s the interactions of the extended family members that becomes the focus of the story.

The author has an excellent writing style, with lovely descriptive renderings of the characters and especially the locations. I enjoy reading about the early twentieth century and it was interesting how the author moved over a time span of almost a hundred years. The characters were nicely drawn, even for those who didn’t stick around very long and there were many human truths that one can make sense of in their own lives today, although when Jack came into the world it was a very different age.

If you period family dramas in book form or film such as Downtown Abbey or A Woman of Substance, you’ll enjoy this story.
T. AtkinsAuthor 11 books31

The story of the Jagger family is relatable and enduring. The majority of the story is told from the perspective of the family’s head, Jack Jagger, whom we meet at the age of twelve when his world is immediately turned upside down. We follow him as he grows, marries, and raises a family. We watch as the lives of his extended family transform as he and they experience love and loss.
What sets this story apart is the author’s distinct voice. We are visually guided through the lives of the Jagger family and those in their innermost circles. We are not just observers but participants, as we are given glimpses of their metamorphic journey, shaped by the relentless march of events and time.
The saga of the Jagger family was an enjoyable read that I recommend to anyone who is looking to get swept away to another place in a distant time where life was a bit simpler but where tragedy and heartache still exist.
Kevin Fildes3

From West Yorkshire to East Berlin was a very enjoyable book to read. The flow through all the various time periods was excellent, not choppy or convoluted as generational stories can sometimes be.

Every character was unique and well-rounded to the point where you could picture yourself knowing them. The scenery and locations present also painted a vivid image of actually being there.

Throughout the story there were many touching and emotional scenes that I really enjoyed. The book did a great job depicting relationships, emotions, choices, and grief.

Jack, the main character, was a man you would be proud to have as the patriarch of the family while Tilly’s strength was super admirable.

The ending fit the story perfectly and I wished it could go on. When the mystery of the story was revealed I didn’t see it coming at all. Very surprising indeed.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves family, historical sagas. John Thorne1 review

From West Yorkshire to East Berlin is excellent. I read the 300+ pages in less than a week, looking forward to each time when I would return to the book. This is testament to the fact that it is easy to read, pulling you into the lives of the Jagger family as they change and develop over 90 years. You want to know what happens to each character and the relationships between them.
The author deftly moves from one decade to another from the late 1910s to this century, subtly drawing out changes in society, such as the role of women and the emergence of technology. The wide cast of characters is relatable and more realistic than a soap opera, displaying the attributes and flaws of all of us. Dilemmas are faced as in real life that question loyalty and love. The realism is strengthened by the author’s knowledge of places and professions.
Recommended. Ava Taylor4

This was one of the best works of fiction that I have read in a long time! The story of Jack Jagger's life and all those connected to him had me spellbound from the first page to the last. It starts with him as a twelve-year old boy whose world falls apart when his father dies and the family is thrust on hard times. We follow him through his life, from his youth until old age. Woven through the pages are themes of resilience, fortitude and forgiveness. In many ways, it's a story about all of our lives and how to live them with dignity and grace. This book does not use foul language, gratuitous violence, or explicit sex to grab your attention. It doesn't need to. The story itself keeps you engaged. It's beautifully written, with relatable characters and well developed themes. It was a joy to read. I highly recommend it. Christian2

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